English translations of Balladen und Romanzen, opus 13

by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907)

1. Die Botschaft  [sung text not yet checked]
by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907), "Die Botschaft", op. 13 (Balladen und Romanzen) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Knecht! steh auf und sattle schnell,
Und wirf dich auf dein Roß,
Und jage rasch durch Wald und Feld
Nach König Duncans Schloß.

Dort schleiche in den Stall, und wart,
Bis dich der Stallbub schaut.
Den forsch mir aus: "Sprich, welche ist
Von Duncans Töchtern Braut?"

Und spricht der Bub: "Die Braune ist's",
So bring mir schnell die Mär.
Doch spricht der Bub: "Die Blonde ist's",
So eilt das nicht so sehr.

Dann geh zum Meister Seiler hin,
Und kauf mir einen Strick,
Und reite langsam, sprich kein Wort,
Und bring mir den zurück.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. The message
Language: English 
 My squire! wake up and quickly get your saddle,
 and leap upon your steed;
 and race swiftly through the woods and fields
 to King Duncan's castle.
 
 There, creep into the stable and wait
 until you see the stable boy.
 Ask him for me: "Tell me, which one
 of Duncan's daughters is the bride?"
 
 And if the boy says: "The brown-haired one",
 then bring me the news quickly.
 But if the boy says, "The blonde-haired one",
 you do not need to hurry so much.
 
 Go then to the Master Rigger
 and buy me a rope.
 Ride slowly, say not a word,
 and bring it back to me.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 107

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2.   [sung text not yet checked]
by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907), no title, op. 13 (Balladen und Romanzen) no. 2, from Der arme Peter, no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Hans und die Grete tanzen herum,
Und jauchzen vor lauter Freude.
Der Peter steht so still und [stumm]1,
Und ist so blaß wie Kreide.

Der Hans und die Grete sind Bräut'gam und Braut,
Und blitzen im Hochzeitgeschmeide.
Der arme Peter die Nägel kaut
Und geht im Werkeltagskleide.

Der Peter spricht leise vor sich her,
Und [schaut]2 betrübet auf Beide:
« Ach! wenn ich nicht gar zu vernünftig wär',
Ich [thät']3 mir was zu Leide.»

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von Heinrich Heine, zweiundfünfzigste Auflage (52nd edition), Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1882, page 52.

1 Schumann: "so stumm"
2 Schumann: "schauet"
3 Schumann: "thäte"; modernized spelling would be "täte"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Hans and Grete dance around
Language: English 
 Hans and Grete dance around
 and cheer with loud joy.
 Peter stands so still and mute,
 and is as pale as chalk.
 
 Hans and Grete are bride and groom,
 flashing in their wedding clothes.
 Poor Peter bites his nails
 and goes about in workday clothes.
 
 Peter speaks softly to himself,
 gazing gloomily at the pair:
 Ah, if I weren't so sensible,
 I might do myself harm.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3.   [sung text not yet checked]
by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907), no title, op. 13 (Balladen und Romanzen) no. 2, from Der arme Peter, no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der arme Peter wankt vorbei,
Gar langsam, leichenblaß und scheu.
Es bleiben fast, wie sie ihn sehn,
Die Leute auf der Straße stehn.

Die Mädchen flüstern sich ins Ohr:
"Der stieg wohl aus dem Grab hervor?"
Ach nein, ihr lieben Jungfräulein,
Der steigt erst [ins]1 Grab hinein.

Er hat verloren seinen Schatz,
Drum ist das Grab der beste Platz,
Wo er am besten liegen mag
Und schlafen bis zum jüngsten Tag.

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von Heinrich Heine, zweiundfünfzigste Auflage (52nd edition), Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1882, page 53.

1 Schumann: "in das"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3.
Language: English 
 Poor Peter staggers past,
 quite slowly, as pale as a corpse, and shy.
 When they see him, 
 the people in the street almost stop in their tracks.
 
 Maidens whisper in one another's ears:
 "Surely he has risen from the grave!"
 But no, dear young girls,
 he has not yet climbed into his grave.
 
 He has lost his love;
 therefore the grave is the best place for him.
 There he might best lie
 and sleep until Judgment Day.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Line count: 12
Word count: 78

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4. In meiner Brust da sitzt ein Weh  [sung text not yet checked]
by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907), "In meiner Brust da sitzt ein Weh", op. 13 (Balladen und Romanzen) no. 2, from Der arme Peter, no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
"In meiner Brust, da sitzt ein Weh,
Das will die Brust zersprengen;
Und wo ich steh' und wo ich geh',
Will's mich von hinnen drängen.

"Es treibt mich nach der Liebsten Näh',
Als könnt die Grete heilen;
Doch wenn ich der ins Auge seh',
Muß ich von hinnen eilen.

"Ich steig' hinauf des Berges Höh',
Dort ist man doch alleine;
Und wenn ich still dort oben steh',
Dann steh' ich still und weine."

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von Heinrich Heine, zweiundfünfzigste Auflage (52nd edition), Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1882, pages 52-53.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. Within my heart there lies an ache
Language: English 
"Within my heart there lies an ache
that will break my heart apart;
wherever I stay, wherever I go,
it is always pushing me onward.

"It drives me to my beloved's presence,
as if Grete could heal it;
but when I look her in the eye,
I must hurry away from there.

"I climb to the heights of the mountain,
for there one can be alone;
and when I stay up there silently,
then I stand mutely and weep."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 79

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Der wunde Ritter  [sung text not yet checked]
by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907), "Der wunde Ritter", op. 13 (Balladen und Romanzen) no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich weiß eine alte Kunde,
Die hallet dumpf und trüb:
Ein Ritter liegt liebeswunde,
Doch treulos ist sein Lieb.

Als treulos muß er verachten
Die eigne Herzliebste sein,
Als schimpflich muß er betrachten
Die eigne Liebespein.

Er möcht in die Schranken reiten
Und rufen die Ritter zum Streit:
"Der mag sich zum [Kampfe]1 bereiten,
Wer mein Lieb eines Makels zeiht!"

Da würden wohl alle schweigen,
Nur nicht sein eigener Schmerz;
Da müßt er die Lanze neigen
[Wider 's]2 eigne [klagende]3 Herz.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 57.

1 Backer-Grøndahl: "Kampf"
2 Backer-Grøndahl: "wieder's"
3 Backer-Grøndahl: "klagendes" (likely a typo)

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5. The wounded knight
Language: English 
I know an old story,
It echoes dully and drearily:
A knight lies wounded by love,
But his beloved is faithless.

As faithless he must scorn
His own heart’s beloved,
As disgraceful he must regard
His own pain of loving.

He wants to ride into the arena
And summon the knights to a duel:
"He who accuses my beloved of a flaw,
Let him prepare himself for battle!"

Thereupon all would fall silent,
Only not his own pain;
Thereupon he must turn his lance
Upon his own lamenting heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Translations of title(s):
"Eine alte Kunde" = "An old story"
"Der liebeswunde Ritter" = "The knight wounded by love"
"Der wunde Ritter" = "The wounded knight"



This text was added to the website: 2019-10-27
Line count: 16
Word count: 89

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Ständchen eines Mauren  [sung text not yet checked]
by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907), "Ständchen eines Mauren", op. 13 (Balladen und Romanzen) no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Meiner schlafenden Zuleima
Rinnt aufs Herz, ihr Thränentropfen;
Dann wird ja das süße Herzchen
Sehnsuchtvoll nach Abdul klopfen.

  Meiner schlafenden Zuleima
Spielt ums Ohr, ihr Seufzer trübe;
Dann träumt ja das blonde Köpfchen
Heimlich süß von Abduls Liebe.

  Meiner schlafenden Zuleima
Ström aufs Händchen, Herzblutquelle;
Dann trägt ja ihr süßes Händchen,
Abduls [Herzblut]1 rot und helle.

  Ach! der Schmerz ist stumm geboren,
Ohne Zunge in dem Munde,
Hat nur Thränen, hat nur Seufzer,
Und nur Blut aus Herzenswunde.

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1 Klein: "Name"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
6. Serenade of a Moor
Language: English 
  You teardrops, rain down upon 
The heart of my sleeping Zuleima;
For then the sweet little heart
Shall throb yearningly for Abdul.

  You dreary sighs, play about
The ear of my sleeping Zuleima;
Then the little blonde head shall 
Secretly, sweetly dream of Abdul’s love.

  Stream, wellspring of my heart’s blood,
Upon the little hand of my sleeping Zuleima;
Then the sweet little hand shall bear
Abdul’s [heart’s blood]1 red and bright.

  Ah! pain is born mute,
Without a tongue in its mouth,
It has only tears, has only sighs,
And only blood from the wound of the heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Translations of title(s):
"Ständchen eines Mauren" = "Serenade of a Moor"
"Zuleima" = "Zuleima"
"Meiner schlafenden Zuleima" = "To my sleeping Zuleima"
"Mauren-Ständchen" = "Moorish serenade"

1 Klein: "name"


This text was added to the website: 2018-04-19
Line count: 16
Word count: 101

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Die Lehre  [sung text not yet checked]
by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907), "Die Lehre", op. 13 (Balladen und Romanzen) no. 5
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  [Mutter]1 zum Bienelein:
"Hüt dich vor Kerzenschein!"
Doch was die Mutter spricht,
Bienelein achtet nicht;

  Schwirret ums Licht herum,
Schwirret mit Sum-sum-sum,
Hört nicht die Mutter schrein:
"Bienelein! Bienelein!"

  Junges Blut, tolles Blut,
Treibt in die Flammengluth,
Treibt in die Flamm' hinein, --
"Bienelein! Bienelein!"

  'S flackert nun lichterroth,
Flamme gab Flammentod. --
"Hüt dich vor Mägdelein,
Söhnelein! Söhnelein!"

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Confirmed with Selections from Heine's Poems, ed by Horatio Stevens White, Boston, Heath & Co., 1907, page 65.

1 Trenkler: "Mutter sprach warnend"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
7. The lesson
Language: English 
Mother to the little bee:
"Beware of candlelight!"
But what the mother says,
The little bee does not heed.

Whirrs about the light,
Whirrs with a buzz-buzz-buzz
Does not here the mother scream:
"Little bee! Little bee!"

Young blood, madcap blood,
Drives into the heat of the flame,
Drives into the flame, -
"Little bee! Little bee!"

It flickers brightly red now,
The flame delivered a fiery death; --
Watch yourself around maidens,
Dear son! Dear son!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Translations of title(s):
"Käferlied" = "Beetle song"
"Die Lehre" = "The lesson"



This text was added to the website: 2020-01-21
Line count: 16
Word count: 75

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
8. Die Bergstimme  [sung text not yet checked]
by Alfred Reisenauer (1863 - 1907), "Die Bergstimme", op. 13 (Balladen und Romanzen) no. 6
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ein Reiter durch das Bergtal zieht,
Im traurig stillen Trab:
"Ach! zieh ich jetzt wohl in Liebchens Arm,
Oder zieh ich ins dunkle Grab?"
Die Bergstimm Antwort gab:
"Ins dunkle Grab!"

Und weiter reitet der Reitersmann,
Und seufzet schwer dazu:
"So zieh ich denn hin ins Grab so früh -
Wohlan, im Grab ist Ruh!"
Die Stimme sprach dazu:
"Im Grab ist Ruh!"

Dem Reitersmann eine Träne rollt
Von der [Wange]1 kummervoll:
"Und ist nur im Grab die Ruhe für mich -
So ist mir im Grabe wohl."
Die [Stimme]2 erwidert hohl:
"Im Grabe wohl!"

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1 Lachner, Randhartinger, Zenger: "Wange bleich und"
2 Medtner, Zenger: "Stimm'"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
8.
[Translation not yet available]